January 2009

Biggest Aircraft

Designed by World War I aviator Konstantin Kalinin with a wingspan greater than a B-52's and a much greater wing area, the K-7 was one of the biggest aircraft built before the jet age. It was only one engine short of the B-52 as well, having the curious arrangement of six pulling on the wing leading edge and one pushing at the rear. The K-7's very brief first flight showed up instability and serious vibration caused by the airframe resonating with the engine frequency. The solution to this 'flutter' was thought to be to shorten and strengthen the tail booms, little being known then about the natural frequencies of structures and their response to vibration. On the 11th flight, during a speed test, the port tailboom vibrated, fractured, jammed the elevator and caused the giant aircraft to plough into the ground, killing 15. Undaunted by this disaster, Kalinin's team began construction of two further K-7s in a new factory, but the vicissitudes of Stalin's Russia saw the project abandoned, and in 1938 the arrest and execution of Kalinin on trumped up espionage and sabotage charges. More images after the break...

Source - Link

Grammy Nods for Two Ethiopian Artists

Two US based Ethiopian-born musicians are among the 2009 Grammy Award nominees. Wayna (born Wayna Wondwossen, featured on AfricanLoft, April 20, 2008), and Kenna (born Kenna Zemedkun) are both nominated for the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category.

Wayna’s remake tune, Lovin U (featuring Kokayi, watch a live performance of the song ») highlights the ups and downs of the music business through the eyes of an independent recording artist. The song got the nomination for Category 27 on the Grammy List.

For Kenna, his nomination came via “Say Goodbye to Love” — a very-retro, funkified video performance, Watch video »
Wayna attributes her Grammy nomination to the combined power of new media outlets like iTunes and CDBaby.com: “As an independent recording artist, its hard to get enough publicity without the backing of a major record label. The bulk of my records have been sold at shows and on-line through iTunes and CDBaby.”

Her life in Washington DC exposed her to the problems facing immigrant communities. In her song “Home” from the album Higher Ground, Wayna includes a verse about a woman who left home “and a sense of belonging” for the prospect of better economic opportunity.

“So many Ethiopians deeply miss and love their homeland. No matter how acclaimated they’ve become abroad, they feel an aching for that place where they’re completely understood, without effort or explaination. The song, “Home,” is a testament to them and to that longing, which is something I think any person or culture can relate to.”

Kenna is the eldest son of an immigrant family grew up in Cincinnati, and Virginia Beach, according to his entry on Wikipedia. Kenna began to express an interest in music upon receiving a copy of U2’s The Joshua Tree. The way he was discovered and the obstacles he faced to land a record deal are briefly discussed in Malcolm Gladwell’s 2005 book Blink. He attended the same Virginia Beach high school as Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams of N*E*R*D and the Neptunes.

The nomination is a first for the Grammy Awards, no time had two Ethiopian Americans nominated under the same category. “I am thrilled that Kenna and I are nominated in the same year” Wayna stated. “I hope it sends a message to young Ethiopians that there is no goal beyond our reach.”

Domino Day 2008

On 14 November 2008, Weijers Domino Productions celebrated the tenth anniversary of the TV show Domino Day by breaking more Guinness World Records on the programme than ever before! On the latest edition of Domino Day, which was broadcast live in more than eight countries, a grand total of 4,345,027 dominoes were toppled – a record for the most dominoes toppled by a ........... More after a Jump.

On 14 November 2008, Weijers Domino Productions celebrated the tenth anniversary of the TV show Domino Day by breaking more Guinness World Records on the programme than ever before!
On the latest edition of Domino Day, which was broadcast live in more than eight countries, a grand total of 4,345,027 dominoes were toppled – a record for the most dominoes toppled by a group.
Finnish circus artist Salima Peippo set the show going in spectacular fashion by toppling the first domino while suspended from ropes.

Apart from the overall record for the most dominoes toppled, there were nine other records set, each with outstanding results:

Most dominoes toppled in a spiral – 1,200.
Most dominoes stacked on one single piece – 727.
Highest toppling domino climb – 11.52 m (37 ft 10 in).
Largest toppling domino stones – 4.8 m (15 ft 9 high, 2.4 m (7ft 10 in) wide and 72 cm (2 ft 4 in) deep.
Longest domino wall – 15.86 m (52 ft) long.
Tallest domino structure – 2 m (6 ft 6 in) high.
Largest domino mosaic – 500 m² (5,382 ft²).
Fastest toppling domino setting – average speed of 7.13 m/s.
Most dominoes toppled by a group – 4,345,027.
Most mini dominoes toppled – 1,114.

All records were observed and ratified by Guinness World Records adjudicator, Andrea Banfi.The 4,345,027 dominoes of Domino Day 2008 were set up during eight weeks of intense building by 85 builders from 13 countries and the expert team of Weijers Domino Productions, in a studio of 10,000 m². The toppling of the dominoes lasted for about two hours and created a unique and creative live television show.

Source : Link

The Pussycat Dolls - Bottle Pop (making the video)

The Pussycat Dolls Making Of : Bottle Pop

I Will Be - Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis - I Will Be (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

Fergie's Hot Bod

Jan. 7, 2009
At their joint bachelor-bachelorette party in Santa Monica.

Nov. 24, 2008
In the canyon park area of L.A.

May 2, 2008
At Sunfest performance in West Palm Beach, Florida.

April 18, 2008
On the beach in the Bahamas.

Dec. 2, 2007
At Conde Nast's Movies Rock event in Hollywood.

Feb. 8, 2006
At 48th Annual Grammy Awards in L.A.

April 13, 2005
At Us Weekly's Young Hot Hollywood Style Awards in Hollywood.

Feb. 6, 2004
At 46th Annual Grammy Awards in Culver City, California.

Dec. 10, 2003
At Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.

Aug. 28, 2003
At the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in NYC.

source: UsMagazine

Fergie's Honeymoon: Scuba Diving and Spas!

Inauguration Style: Best and Worst Looks

The Queen of Soul channeled the Queen of England with her big bowed hat. Aretha Franklin is the original diva and can wear anything, in our humble opinion!

Michelle Obama chose a chiffon creation by 26-year-old designer Jason Wu as her inauguration ball gown. It was a bold choice going with a relative unknown, but with a night full of events, we're not sure white was the way to go.

Anne Hathaway looked ravishing in her ravishing red frock, matching lips, and freshly cropped coif.

Kid Rock and Usher were the men in black. I guess putting on a vest was Kid's way of dressing up!

Jennifer Lopez glowed in her white goddess gown while performing at the Western Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

While Common (far right) was rather sharp in all-white at the BET Inauguration Ball, T.I. looked as if he were ready to take Kerry Washington to the prom in his black tux and boutonniere. Don't even get us started on Kerry's flashy gold and black bomb.

Kim Raver topped off her gorgeous gray chiffon strapless gown with a silver clutch and tassel necklace at the Creative Coalition and Capitol File's Inaugural Pre-Gala Dinner at Donovan House Cha at the Donovan Hotel in D.C.

Rihanna dazzled in a one-shouldered canary cocktail dress at the the RIAA and Feeding America's Inauguration Charity Ball. Unfortunately, the overdone ruching made her fab figure look frumpy.

Ashton Kutcher attended the MTV/ServiceNation event with his favorite accessory: wife Demi Moore. The ever-youthful actress looked gorgeous in a strapless Donna Karan cocktail dress.

Ashley Judd looked slightly uncomfortable as she posed at the Inaugural Purple Ball in her silver one-shouldered Monique Lhuillier frock.

Diddy looked dapper upon arriving at the BET Inaugural Ball in a bow tie.

Sharkira showed off her curves in a strapless hip-hugging mermaid frock. Unfortunately, the gown was overshadowed by her tragic long locks.

The silhouette of Marisa Tomei's gown was as classic as they come. Pockets and 3/4-length sleeves added a stylish touch.

Spike Lee donned his top hat and tails for the Creative Coalition's Inaugural VIP dinner, while wife Tonya matched in a charcoal floral gown.

Rosario Dawson popped a pose in a curve-hugging corset gown.

Ashanti could have used a stylist last night. Her teardrop earrings and updo were stunning, but her strapless champagne-colored, jewel-encrusted gown was far from flattering.

Courteney Cox followed her dapper hubby David Arquette's lead and donned a tuxedo-inspired suit to RIAA and Feeding America's Inauguration Charity Ball at Ibiza.

Mary J. Blige was lovely in a classic long black sheath and diamonds while posing with Debra Lee, President and CEO of BET. Unfortunately, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul's distracting arm tattoo took away from the overall look.

The jury has come to a verdict: former "Judging Amy" star Amy Brenneman stole the spotlight in a sophisticated silk gown and diamond cuff.

Susan Sarandon donned a tux-inspired pantsuit. The look was chic, but it was a rehash of what she wore to the Golden Globes. We'd love to see her in a grand gown.

Kanye West's pocket scarf nearly matched the size of his ego! The rapper/producer performed at MTV and ServiceNation's "Be The Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball."

Rachel Leigh Cook looked lovely at the Creative Coalition's Inaugural Ball in a nude multi-tiered gown complete with a ruched bodice.

Even though Tobey Maguire's wife is expecting, the couple celebrated President Obama's inauguration at MTV and ServiceNation's "Be the Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball."

source:omg.yahoo.com

What Were They Thinking?!

Miley Cyrus' blue booties give us the cooties, but her shredded leggings are nightmare-inducing.

Speaking of catastrophes, take a peek at what Angelina Jolie's hairdresser did to her head!

We love us some Lady GaGa, but we're not particularly fond of her bow-tied haridon't.

Remember when Joaquin Phoenix was clean-cut and totally cute? What the heck happened?

When will Linda Hogan learn that real fur isn't fashionable? When will her boy toy learn that fringe is frightening? When will they both learn to hire stylists?